I used the 4G in my Donnay 94, I strung it as a full bed @46. I really liked the control and depth I was able to get, though it lacked spin in a major way.
I hit for about 6 hours (spread out over 3 days) and I found that around 5 hours the string got weird. Under powered and started feeling a little tenderness in the elbow.
Honestly, I would probably never use it again.

I tried it out today using Pacific Gut mains. The 4G absorbs spin! I got less spin from the 4G 16L than I did from Black Magic 17, Hurricane Tour 17, BHBR 16, and ALU Power. The performance didn't drop after 2 hours, though. The problem is that the performance was never high in the first place.

Luxilon 4G will be the new Windows Vista of tennis strings. Overpriced piece of crap!!!

I tried it out today using Pacific Gut mains. The 4G absorbs spin! I got less spin from the 4G 16L than I did from Black Magic 17, Hurricane Tour 17, BHBR 16, and ALU Power. The performance didn't drop after 2 hours, though. The problem is that the performance was never high in the first place.

Luxilon 4G will be the new Windows Vista of tennis strings. Overpriced piece of crap!!!

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would you be more interested if they droped the price to ~$10 ? and if Luxilon added some material to increase the power and spin, would you buy it at this current price ?

would you be more interested if they droped the price to ~$10 ? and if Luxilon added some material to increase the power and spin, would you buy it at this current price ?

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In a recreational setting, I want low cost and performance. If the 4G can create more spin, then I'd consider it at $10. The problem, however, is that there are many $8 strings out there that generate massive spin. Right now, the only major benefit of 4G is longer lasting playability.

In a competitive setting, cost matters less. I willingly go to $40 gut and ALU crosses. I would also replace the crosses the night before.

Unfortunately, I think 4G should be priced in teh $6-8 range. It's not a $17 string by far.

To be honest I wanted to hate this string when I got it from the playtest, because I knew it would be so expensive, but I have been really surprised.

I strung it @62 in a redondo mid, and it's still in there after 3 weeks. I normally break string or cut it out every week, but it's still playing like it did when I first hit with it. Spin or power was never it's strong suit, but it still gives me excellent control and is still very comfortable.

I really don't understand where all of the hate is coming from, it's certainly not the best string, but it's not as terrible as everyone here is saying. At the same price I would buy this string 10 times out of 10 over RPM.

To be honest I wanted to hate this string when I got it from the playtest, because I knew it would be so expensive, but I have been really surprised.

I strung it @62 in a redondo mid, and it's still in there after 3 weeks. I normally break string or cut it out every week, but it's still playing like it did when I first hit with it. Spin or power was never it's strong suit, but it still gives me excellent control and is still very comfortable.

I really don't understand where all of the hate is coming from, it's certainly not the best string, but it's not as terrible as everyone here is saying. At the same price I would buy this string 10 times out of 10 over RPM.

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Not everyone shares the same experience. I have purposely said many times now that the stuff is not awful. That would be a lie because I can think of many (truth be told, that blue Wilson poly was simply sinful in comparison) that are worse. The majority consensus has been below average, however. More interestingly, before they said that this is their new top of the line string and sent it out to playtest, I honestly do not recall a single glowing review. Now that it's being marketed and they want feedback, the positives have come pouring in. Having tested both in the same frame, it's the same string without question. As UCSF said, those original negative reviews no longer exist.

If you are looking for a control string, look at some Weisscannon polys. This isn't my personal bias either. I only have my personal bias because I was told the same thing: http://stringforum.net/top5.php?cat=K . Scorpion has been #1 for at least the past 3 years which is when I started looking. Again, I am not telling you to try the Lux 4G. Use weed-whacker string if you want and I won't even blink. My point is just that when there are so many options and it's at least mildly clear a product is being carried by its name alone, it pays to shop around.

I am by no means going to pay $17 dollars for this product, I am just saying with all the widespread use of rpm and other strings priced so ridiculously high I would get the 4g over the rpm. Personally I am still in love with Tourna poly and the price to performance ratio simply blows those highly marketed strings out of the water.

My point is the 4g is not the worst string on the market and is actually quite enjoyable for me when price doesn't play in to the equation.

4G will eventually find its place in the market. No amount of [false] positive publicity will convince the world to use it if individual players don't like it. It'll become the new Wilson Hollow Core, currently priced at $3.99 here on TW, down from >$10 retail. 4G is a failed product release.

4G will eventually find its place in the market. No amount of [false] positive publicity will convince the world to use it if individual players don't like it. It'll become the new Wilson Hollow Core, currently priced at $3.99 here on TW, down from >$10 retail. 4G is a failed product release.

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strange that so many pros play with it. all these hackers are nothing against the honorable tt warriors

strange that so many pros play with it. all these hackers are nothing against the honorable tt warriors

4G SUXXXXX SOOO MUCHH!!!!!!!!!!1111111111111

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Let me guess. You never used the string.

I don't give a damn about the string. I'm more curious about the business aspect. Why on earth Lux would market such a poorly received string as one of their premium strings? Either they have something hidden in mind or they're in for a business blunder.

Luxilon 4G is similar to Yonex Poly tour pro HS in power level with softer feel, but worse in tension retention, spin access, control, price and overall performance.

I had a good pocketing with it, but that's not what I'm looking for to complement my racquets that are already in the softer feel with power, I needed something like what i have now with Yonex strings.

This is preliminary for me as far as a review would go, but did get to finally hit with the 4G today (at least in a hybrid) for about 2 hours.

Strung a prestige pro with pacific gut in mains, 4G in crosses at 45lbs, with an ERT of 32. Strings felt really comfortable, no lack of power, spin or control. Great pocketing and very comfortable. I think if anything, the 4G magnified the comforting feeling of the gut vs other poly strings. I felt like the stringbed was really cupping the ball well. I dare say it felt like there was more dwell time.

This is preliminary for me as far as a review would go, but did get to finally hit with the 4G today (at least in a hybrid) for about 2 hours.

Strung a prestige pro with pacific gut in mains, 4G in crosses at 45lbs, with an ERT of 32. Strings felt really comfortable, no lack of power, spin or control. Great pocketing and very comfortable. I think if anything, the 4G magnified the comforting feeling of the gut vs other poly strings. I felt like the stringbed was really cupping the ball well. I dare say it felt like there was more dwell time.

Anyway, now I'm very curious how this plays in a full bed.

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drakulie- I'm getting ready to try a gut/4G hybrid. Just wondering if you have any thoughts on using Pacific gut versus VS? Thanks in advance.

This is preliminary for me as far as a review would go, but did get to finally hit with the 4G today (at least in a hybrid) for about 2 hours.

Strung a prestige pro with pacific gut in mains, 4G in crosses at 45lbs, with an ERT of 32. Strings felt really comfortable, no lack of power, spin or control. Great pocketing and very comfortable. I think if anything, the 4G magnified the comforting feeling of the gut vs other poly strings. I felt like the stringbed was really cupping the ball well. I dare say it felt like there was more dwell time.

Anyway, now I'm very curious how this plays in a full bed.

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Can you elaborate on the statement, " no lack of power, spin, or control " ?

I think what most playtesters were saying is that string felt inferior in power and spin compared to what they were used to playing with, ie, alu power, BB, babolat hurricane and so on. Not that they were saying 4G is total garbage.
I did feel decent pop and spin from 4G but pretty much middle of the road where the poly is concerned. but ball control was exceptional.

drakulie- appreciate your thoughts on 4G as a hybrid. Looking forward to your thoughts after you've had a chance to play with it full bed.

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Ditto! Would love to see an update on your experience. Looking for a cross for my AG 4D 200 Tours. Currently using PHT. Fascinated by 4G's low tension loss and stiff yet comfortable character (at least according to reports).

After 5 hours of hitting, thru 3 days, tension has dropped from 32ert to 28 ert, which equates to 5 to 6 lb drop in tension. string is performing really well, and is extremely comfortable,,,, almost like it's breaking in more and feeling better each time I play with it. I did note when comparing it to my other frame strung with vs gut/alu power, that it is not as powerful or spinny, but is more comfortable.

After 5 hours of hitting, thru 3 days, tension has dropped from 32ert to 28 ert, which equates to 5 to 6 lb drop in tension. string is performing really well, and is extremely comfortable,,,, almost like it's breaking in more and feeling better each time I play with it. I did note when comparing it to my other frame strung with vs gut/alu power, that it is not as powerful or spinny, but is more comfortable.

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Drak,

Can you offer a comparison to Pro Hurricane Tour with respect to spin potential and control? On paper 4G would appear to offer less spin potential and more control but field experience always trumps data.

Great post... I found the string to have a lack of power.. great control and a lack of spin production. A another really bad price/performer from Lux. Would not stock it or play with it. There are about 500 bettter strings of there for less money. Any of the Tourna Poly offerings blow this stuff away. Give me BHB7 or just plain old Big Hitter Silver in a Hybrid (Syn Gut) over -4G ..

Great post... I found the string to have a lack of power.. great control and a lack of spin production. A another really bad price/performer from Lux. Would not stock it or play with it. There are about 500 bettter strings of there for less money. Any of the Tourna Poly offerings blow this stuff away. Give me BHB7 or just plain old Big Hitter Silver in a Hybrid (Syn Gut) over -4G ..

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Can you possibly tell me why then so many ATP tour players love this string. and also serena williams love this string too. Wonder why ?

Can you possibly tell me why then so many ATP tour players love this string. and also serena williams love this string too. Wonder why ?

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I would appreciate you telling me just all of these top tier ATP players who use 4G over any of the Big Banger offerings. You do realize that there are pros still using Lux BBO, BBOR, ALU, ALUR, ALUFl and BBTiMo, right?

Can you offer a comparison to Pro Hurricane Tour with respect to spin potential and control? On paper 4G would appear to offer less spin potential and more control but field experience always trumps data.

Can you possibly tell me why then so many ATP tour players love this string. and also serena williams love this string too. Wonder why ?

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I have no idea... I am not a pro. I playtested the string in two frames for about 30 hours. Maybe the pros have contacts with lux? I evaluated the string based on my game and my impressions. It may be a great string for a select class of players. I was not impressed. As I indicated, not a good price/performer. Its like $16.95 a set right? Sorry not twice as good as Tourna Big Hitter Blue Rough or BHB7...as a matter of fact.. it as not as good as either of those and is twice as much. Just like TF X-1... really bad for the money. Now if someone is paying for the string and I only have to use it for an hour... sure X-1 all the way. As PV said.. I would not take this string if it was offered to me for free.

I intend to give it a try due to reports of low tension loss, comfort, and relatively high stiffness.

It seems perfect as a cross for gut mains which need a stiff, low tension-loss cross to tame their power and to "age" at a similar rate.

Perhaps, in light of recent research into low friction gut/poly hyrbrids, that's the target?

As for pro use of specific strings I doubt they'd use something strictly for sponsor dollars, at at least those at the top. Frames and strings are crucial to their careers and some pros have even paid big bucks to get out of hardware contracts and play with different hardware. If 4G was really that terrible in performance would a millionaire pro like S. Williams risk her fame and fortune so she could get free string that costs $8 per half set? I really doubt she risk the public humiliation of repeated losses while using a terrible string just to score free string.

Now, I could see top pros ignoring durability issues if they felt performance was that much better. I've tried other Lux strings popular among pros and never dound one that I liked due to poor durability. But based on low tension loss reports and reviews, 4G seems perfect for the rec/consumer market which values durability, especially those of us who enjoy gut mains. If those reports of low tension loss and long term comfort are accurate then Luxilon will have struck gold.

Can you offer a comparison to Pro Hurricane Tour with respect to spin potential and control? On paper 4G would appear to offer less spin potential and more control but field experience always trumps data.

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Been a while since I played with the PHT, but I would definitely say better tension maintenance. Comfort is about the same with an edge to the 4g. Spin I would give to the pht. But remember, I've only been using it in a hybrid, so everything is very preliminary. Hope that helps.

Pro staffer, I would never hybrid poly with poly. Makes no sense as there would be thousands of possible combinations. You are better off going full bed or hybriding with a gut or multi.

The Tourna strings do not come close to 4G. They play decent for maybe 2 good sessions and then fall off considerably. They are budget polys and play like such. 4g has been in raq for 3 weeks now and I still am not considering cutting it out, playing a league match with it today.

I knew it was crazy! I'm just on the hunt for a little more with this string. It is comfortable for sure. I guess I'm just used to seeing the ball dip or dwell on the strings longer. I'm not the flattest hitter in the world and it seems these strings were designed for that kind of player. This string is so close to being a winner for me I'm experimenting all over the place!

I'm having one of my 4D 200 Tours strung with VS Touch / 4G 1.30. Looking forward to trying it Thursday or Friday. Picked 4G 1.30 so I can compare directly to PHT 16 in same configuration.

Ditto on the poly/poly hybrid. Tried a few and saw no real benefit.

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I use PHT/VS Touch and I haven't gotten to test out the 4G/VS Touch very much but I do have it strung. I won't be able to hit the courts for a while because of an injury so if you can compare maybe how you like the 4G compared to the PHT that'd be great.

Serena settled on a combination with Wilson natural gut in the mains (the strings which go from the top to the bottom of the racket) and Luxilon 4G in the crosses (the horizontal strings).

Goran Hofsteter, who has been assigned as Serena's stringer in the U.S. Open stringing facility for the past seven years, was surprised to find her ordering something other than the usual. But, he said, Serena's racket had become increasingly powerful as new models were released, creating more reason to change the strings.

"With these new rackets today … basically, it's way too much power, so you have to put some other string in to control it. And this one works very good," he said.

The Williams sisters rarely go it alone, and this is no exception -- Venus has also made the switch, and is using the same Wilson gut-Luxilon 4G combo. Her U.S. Open stringer, Yat Kong, feels the change makes sense.

"She has all the power that she needs, so she needs more control," he said. "It's also a very dense string pattern, so there's more string per square inch. It makes the racket head much stiffer. You get more control, but not as much power. That means a player has to be able to swing out."

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That pretty much sums up the quest I've been on: a cross that can tame the power of gut mains while exploiting the low friction benefits of a gut/poly hybrid.

The challenge in this quest is twofold: a string that can tame gut's power without killing the arm and one that doesn't die in an hour or lose tension at a rate far in excess of the gut.

Hopefully 4G does those things. On paper the stiffness and low tension loss seem right there. And in spite of the high stiffness rating there have been many positive comments on its comfort, at least for a co-poly.

In regards to the Williams changing to 4g, one thing I love about being behind the scenes is the little things you find out. For example, Serena switching to 4g because she wad told by Wilson that federer is using it. Lol.

The Tourna strings do not come close to 4G. They play decent for maybe 2 good sessions and then fall off considerably. They are budget polys and play like such. 4g has been in raq for 3 weeks now and I still am not considering cutting it out, playing a league match with it today.

I have used ALL of the Tourna strings and NONE of them play anywhere close to any Luxilon string I've used as far as playability and tension maintenance are concerned. Granted I've only used BBO, ALU, ALUR, M2 Adren., Adren.R , and Savage. So maybe Lux does have a string in there family that is a worse performer than Tourna but I have not found it.

I'm not knocking Tourna, they have great products but to for some to say this string is bad and this one is better is all a matter of preference.